Joe Joyce is rediscovering his rugby mindset under Stuart Lancaster — and it feels like going back to school, but in the best way possible. When a new coach steps in, it can shake up everything, and that's exactly what's happening at Connacht with the arrival of Lancaster. Known for his impressive tenure at Leinster from 2016 to 2023, and more recently Racing 92, Lancaster's move to Connacht late last season surprised many. Yet, his impact has already begun to reshape the team's approach, beginning with an impressive bonus-point victory against Benetton and an unfortunate match postponement due to Storm Amy disrupting travel plans.
After a disappointing 13th-place finish in the United Rugby Championship last season, the province is clearly welcoming a fresh leader. With former head coach Pete Wilkins stepping down in April, the timing was ripe for Lancaster's brand of rugby wisdom to take hold. "I'm 31 now, but during meetings, I honestly feel like I'm learning rugby all over again," says second row Joe Joyce, who joined Connacht from Bristol in 2023 and has made 38 appearances since. He explains that these sessions, although longer, offer deeper insights into game tactics and strategy — something he hadn’t experienced before. "I'm now thinking about parts of the game I never used to worry about, like the backfield. You can't help but get drawn into his way of seeing the game. The level of game management has completely stepped up."
On the training ground, this renewal is just as clear. Joyce describes the intensity and focus as a major leap forward. "There’s no wasted effort. The pre-season was one of the toughest I've faced, yet everything was rugby-focused — no pointless drills or running around. This shows how fit and healthy our squad is. Every pre-season is different, but this rugby-centric approach is the kind I prefer." He notes that new seasons naturally bring fresh energy, and the arrival of new coaches and faces amplifies that. "We’ve said goodbye to 'easy Mondays.' We train harder now — sometimes even harder than during games — pushing each other with real belief in our playing style."
Connacht's past season started well with three wins in the first six matches but then slumped, finishing with only three additional victories. Hooker Dave Heffernan, a Mayo native with seven Ireland caps, is blunt: "Last year was simply unacceptable. Finishing 13th is not where we want to be. We are determined to make a massive leap forward this year."
Interestingly, Connacht had significant success against Cardiff last season, winning three times across the URC and Challenge Cup. However, Heffernan warns not to underestimate Cardiff, who have a strong, physical team ready to challenge Connacht, especially after a narrow defeat to Munster recently. "They are tough to play, with threats all over the breakdown. They probably should have beaten us last year on their home turf. This time around, they'll be eager to settle the score, and it promises to be a fierce physical battle."
But here's where it gets controversial: Is Lancaster’s intense, rugby-first training approach the best path for long-term success, or could the increased pressure risk player burnout? What do you think Connacht fans and rugby followers—are these bold changes the spark needed to rise up the ranks, or is there a reason to be cautious? Join the conversation and share your views below.
